Plenary – Inside and Outside the Ranch Gate: How Do We Conserve Ranches and Support Stewardship?
Ranching and livestock production on rangelands provide food and fiber concurrently with other ecosystem services such as wildlife habitat, clean air and water, carbon sequestration, cultural resources, recreational opportunities and scenic vistas. However, an implicit “wicked challenge” is the lack of mechanisms to effectively value ecological services to reward ranchers and landowners for their conservation. A desire to conserve rangelands and enhance ecological values has brought together individuals of otherwise disparate views. Using whole landscapes to provide ecosystems services and economic viability has turned charismatic environmentalists into ranching advocates and ranchers into conservation activists. This union of perspectives has the potential to accomplish significant environmental and social goals with a role for small family ranches, corporate ranches, conservation organizations, and public land agencies. Join us for keynote addresses and a panel discussion with audience participation on ranching for conservation and the roles Turner Enterprise Ranches and The Nature Conservancy play in supporting this shift. How can public perception, consumer preferences, food industry drivers, cattle market signals, stewardship incentive programs, and institutionalized land tenure arrangements be used to support the broad, valuable suite of environmental and cultural ‘goods’ produced?
- Dr. Lynn Huntsinger, UC-Berkeley professor and winner of the 2020 SRM W.R. Chapline Research Award (Moderator)
- Dr. Carter Kruse, Director of Conservation and Turner Biodiversity Divisions, Turner Enterprises, Inc.
- Dr. Sasha Gennet, Director of The Nature Conservancy National Sustainable Grazing Lands Program